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So here we are on this publication learning something new and sharing something new. This publication is all about tool belts and specifically how you can utilize a tool belt by wearing it properly and maximizing it’s usability.

A tool belt is a necessity that every worker should own. Some people think of it as an amenity but the thing is it is more of a helping hand carrying all your work tools with you wherever you go. So it’s more of a convenience rather than a luxury.

Taking care of your tools is also necessary and while on job it is hard to look for your tools when they are not in a single place. Tool belt comes in handy at that moment when you have all your work tools at just a hand’s reach away. This allows for workers to concentrate on their job fully.

So where to start then? For you to understand the material about how to wear electrician’s or any other worker’s tool belt in this publication you have to own a tool belt. So let’s start with some brief insight on how to choose a tool belt. Let’s get into it.

How To Choose A Tool Belt?

Even though we have explained the factors to consider while buying a tool belt in detail in the linked publication but it is necessary here to go through this again briefly.

When choosing a tool belt it is very important to have a lot of space, enough space that you can easily fit all your tools in tool belt. This is the core function of the tool belts and if the tool belts can’t live up to it’s core functionality then it is of no use then. So be sure to start with the basics and get a tool belt which has a lot of storage space.

Let’s get into the reasons why workers who own a tool belt can’t properly wear it. The first one is the obvious one that they are new to the tool belt thing and the second reason is that they haven’t got the best fit on their tool belt.

Whatever the reason is of the two the scenario is the same, the tool belt is either too high above the waist or too low hanging below the waist both of them can cause discomfort while working. So before you choose a tool belt it’s very important that you test the belt by placing some of the heavier tools you have in it to see how it fits you this will give you an accurate position status.

After checking the position of the tool belt according to your waist line and the fit of the tool belt you have to check the pockets of the tool belt if they are strong enough and provide durability. The obvious choice for the professionals is the leather tool belts and to be specific, saddle leather. The leather tool belts offer the most value for money as they tend to last through all the wear and tear for years but the one time cost of owning a leather tool belt can go as high as $300. But if you are not a professional and you like to work on DIY projects then you are probably better off with a Nylon tool belt which is lightweight and durable enough for that kind of workload.

Then there is buckle mechanism which is a very important thing to look for. Typically the cheap tool belts have the worst of the buckle mechanisms as they are either very hard to use or the buckles just don’t provide enough mobility. And then there are buckles which are too big to be on the belt and they just get into your belly or scratch a finished surface when you lean over it to reach something. So do some brain storming on that when you a tool belt.

How To Wear A Tool Belt?

Now on to the main topic of discussion, how to wear a tool belt? Let’s dive into that.

Multiple Pockets on a Tool Belt

We can’t stress on importance of multiple pockets on a tool belt enough as it is very crucial that you have more than one pocket on your new tool belt according to your requirement. And make sure that pockets are always reachable by your hands easily and not positioned at some awkward angle.

Essential Tools on the Dominant Hand Side

All the essential or the tools you frequently use should be placed on the dominant hand side of the tool belt so that you can always have the most convenient access to them. These tools are generally pliers, marking pencils or liners this is just an example and the tools vary from trait to trait and personal preferences come into play as well.

Non Essential Tools on the Other Side

According to your needs the tools which are less frequently used by you but still come in handy once in a while should be placed on the non dominant hand side prioritizing essential tools.

Twisting and Overturning the Tool Belt

When wearing your tool belt you should twist and overturn your tool belt from time to time to move around in a comfortable manner. If you don’t twist or overturn your tool belt the chances are you will not be able to wear it for a longer span of time. The tool belt in a single position will start to whey you down and can cause irritation or some muscle ache around the back area since it will be full of tools and it will weigh you down.

Climbing a Ladder while wearing a Tool Belt

The first and the obvious thing you should do when climbing a ladder is that you shouldn’t have tools in your hands or on your shoulder since it is not safe to do so and it will be distracting for you to maintain balance while climbing. When you climb a ladder wearing a tool belt it is absolutely necessary to have those tools in your tool belt pockets which are absolutely necessary any extra tools should be taken out of the tool belt pockets to provide yourself a lighter tool belt which is easier to move around in and to climb ladders with.

Padded Tool Belt

A padded tool belt is a good thing to have since it provides extra cushioning to avoid any bruising while you move around while wearing it. There are chances of being bruised or have some kind of rash when you are bending over this is where padded tool belt saves the day. Also consider using suspenders frequently since they can take stress of your lower back, added stress to your lower back over a long period of time will not do you good and can lead to spine issues.

What about Rips & Tears?

As soon as you find any rips or tears on your tool belt, the best thing to do is to fix it. To do that you have to remove all your tools from the tool belt pockets and place them somewhere dry and check the rips or tears if it’s the seam that has been damaged or the tool belt material that has been torn due to contact with sharp end of any object. You can repair the tool belt accordingly but if the tear is a major one you would probably have to replace the pocket or the belt as a whole depending on the spot of tear.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Tool Belts

If you are going to own a tool belt then you have to keep in mind that tool belts do require maintenance. The maintenance is not necessary as you’d think but it will surely increase the lifespan of your tool belt if you take care of it properly. The tool belts made of leather material do require leather conditioners to maintain them otherwise dry leather will have cracks appearing on it overtime. Tool belts made of other materials require no extra conditioners or any product of sorts as they can be washed and dried off easily but do follow the instructions to clean provided by the manufacturer as they can differ with every material used to manufacture the tool belts.

We are going to list some maintenance and cleaning tips for tool belts that can prove useful to you. So let’s get into it.

Keep a soft-bristled brush to remove the dust off the tool belt pockets and tool belt itself regularly

For leather tool belts there are conditioners available in the market that you can use to keep them looking good as new

Do not expose your tool belts to direct sunlight or extreme heat

Wipe away any stain or dust as soon as possible

Always do regular inspections of your tool belt for signs of any wear and tear

If your trait takes you to work in damp areas or spaces then your first priority on the list of factors to consider for tool belts should be waterproofing. There are waterproof belts available in the market but let’s make one thing clear right here that waterproof tool belts are not resistant to chemicals, they can damage the belt to the point you’d probably have to buy a new one.